Tamper resistant electrical wiring device system

Abstract

A platform and slider assembly for use in a tamper resistant receptacle is provided. The tamper resistant receptacle includes a cover having first and second non-grounding apertures formed therein. In use, when a set of blades of a plug is inserted simultaneously through the first and second apertures formed in the cover, the blades make contact with the at least one angled surface on the slider urging the at least one angled surface of the slider to move with respect to the angled surface of the platform such that the slider is urged from the first position to the second position. The first and second apertures formed in the platform define an axis extending from the first aperture to the second aperture; and the slider moves relative to the platform in a direction orthogonal to the axis extending from the first aperture to the second aperture.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A platform and slider assembly for use in a tamper resistant receptacle, the tamper resistant receptacle including a cover having first and second non-grounding apertures formed therein, the platform and slider assembly comprising:
 a platform having a base surface, at least part of said base surface including an angled surface, the platform including first and second apertures adapted and configured for enabling passage of a set of blades in a plug to enable the set of blades to establish contact with corresponding contacts in the tamper resistant receptacle; 
 a slider reciprocally disposed adjacent the platform, the slider defining first and second angled surfaces, wherein the first angled surface of the slider cooperates with the angled surface of the platform, the slider being movable between a first position in which the slider blocks the first and second apertures formed in the cover and a second position in which the slider does not block the first and second apertures formed in the cover; and 
 a biasing member operatively associated with the slider for biasing the slider to the first position, 
 wherein when a set of blades of a plug is inserted along a first axis simultaneously through the first and second apertures formed in the cover, the blades make contact with the second angled surface on the slider urging the first angled surface of the slider to move with respect to the angled surface of the platform such that the slider is urged from the first position to the second position, 
 wherein, during movement to the second position, the slider moves in a direction wherein at least portions of the first and second apertures formed in the platform are simultaneously cleared from obstruction by the slider to enable the set of blades to move through the first and second apertures formed in the cover and through the first and second apertures formed in the platform to establish contact with the corresponding contacts in the tamper resistant receptacle; 
 wherein the first and second apertures formed in the platform define a second axis extending from the first aperture to the second aperture; and 
 wherein the slider moves relative to the platform in a direction orthogonal to the first axis and the second axis extending from the first aperture to the second aperture. 
 
     
     
       2. The platform and slider assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein when an object probes only one of the first and second apertures formed in the cover, the slider is constrained in the first position. 
     
     
       3. The platform and slider assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein when an object probes only one of the first and second apertures formed in the cover, the slider partially rotates about a center thereof such that a surface thereof contacts at least one of a surface of the platform and the biasing member to maintain the first and second apertures formed in the platform blocked. 
     
     
       4. The platform and slider assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the slider includes a first nub and the cover includes a first recess, wherein when an object is inserted thru only one of the first and second apertures formed in the cover, the slider is canted with respect to the cover such that the first nub of the slider projects into the first recess of the cover thereby blocking movement of the slider from the first position to the second position. 
     
     
       5. The platform and slider assembly according to  claim 4 , wherein the slider includes a second nub and the cover includes a second recess, wherein when an object is inserted thru only one of the first and second apertures formed in the cover, the slider is canted with respect to the cover such that the second nub of the slider cooperates with the second recess of the cover to thereby block movement of the slider from the first position to the second position. 
     
     
       6. The platform and slider assembly according to  claim 4 , wherein the first nub of the slider is configured and disposed to block movement of the object when the slider is canted with respect to the cover. 
     
     
       7. The platform and slider assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein the second nub of the slider is configured and disposed to block movement of the object when the slider is canted with respect to the cover. 
     
     
       8. The platform and slider assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein both the first and second nubs of the slider are configured and disposed to block movement of the object when the slider is canted with respect to the cover. 
     
     
       9. The platform and slider assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the biasing member is a spring. 
     
     
       10. The platform and slider assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the slider and platform each include a complementary nub formed on or in a respective surface thereof for blocking movement of the slider from the first position to the second position when an object is inserted thru only one of the first and second apertures formed in the cover. 
     
     
       11. The platform and slider assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the first angled surface of the slider defines at least one camming surface, and the angled surface of the platform defines at least one camming surface co-operable with the camming surface of the slider, wherein upon simultaneous contact of a surface of the slider by the set of blades of the plug through the first and second apertures formed in the cover and movement of the slider in the direction of the platform, the camming surfaces inter-engage with one another and urge the slider from the first position to the second position. 
     
     
       12. The platform and slider assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein the at least one camming surface of the slider terminates in a rounded end. 
     
     
       13. The platform and slider assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the surface of the slider against which the set of blades make contact is oriented substantially perpendicular to an axis of insertion of the set of blades. 
     
     
       14. A platform and slider assembly for use in a tamper resistant receptacle, the tamper resistant receptacle including a cover having first and second apertures and a ground opening, the platform and slider assembly comprising:
 a platform having a base surface, at least part of said base surface including an angled surface, the platform defining first and second apertures therein to enable passage therethrough of a set of blades in a plug to enable the set of blades to establish contact with corresponding contacts in the tamper resistant receptacle; 
 a slider reciprocally disposed adjacent the platform, the slider defining first and second angled surfaces, wherein the first angled surface of the slider cooperates with the angled surface of the platform, the slider being movable between a first position in which the slider blocks the first and second apertures formed in the cover and a second position in which the slider does not block the first and second apertures formed in the cover; and 
 a biasing member operatively associated with the slider for biasing the slider to the first position, 
 wherein when a set of blades in a plug is inserted along a first axis simultaneously through the first and second apertures formed in the cover, the blades make contact with the second angled surface on the slider urging the first angled surface of the slider to move with respect to the angled surface of the platform such that the slider is urged from the first position to the second position, 
 wherein, in the second position, the slider has moved to a position enabling the set of blades to move directly through the first and second apertures of the cover directly through the first and second apertures formed in the platform to establish contact with the corresponding contacts in the tamper resistant receptacle, 
 wherein the first and second apertures formed in the platform define a second axis extending from the first aperture to the second aperture, 
 wherein the slider moves relative to the platform in a direction orthogonal to the first axis and the second axis extending from the first aperture to the second aperture, 
 wherein motion of the slider in a direction orthogonal to the first and second axes causes the slider to move in a direction wherein at least portions of the first and second apertures formed in the platform are simultaneously cleared from obstruction by the slider to enable the set of blades to move through the first and second apertures formed in the cover and through the first and second apertures formed in the platform to establish contact with the corresponding contacts in the tamper resistant receptacle.